Parents want alleged bullying probed

THE parents of a 14-year-old boy, allegedly being bullied at Linpark High School, want the school to take action.

The Grade 8 pupil, a boarder at the school, has asked to remain anonymous to avoid further victimisation. He said the alleged abuse started last term and is escalating.

“In the first incident last term, we were in the showers when a Grade 11 boy [allegedly] rubbed his hands on his private part and then rubbed them all over my face.

“I reported it to the prefect on duty and the hostel superintendent and they said they will investigate, but nothing has been done about it.”

He said in an incident last Thursday someone stormed into his dormitory room while he was sleeping and allegedly poured bottles of urine over him.

“I feel very targeted, but I have not wronged anyone here. After he [allegedly] poured urine on me I had to get out of bed and take another shower. My cellphone was also badly damaged and I had an exam the following morning. I don’t want to come back here next year,” he said.

His father, who has informed the school about the situation on numerous occasions, said little is being done to sort out the bullying problem.

“As a parent, it feels really horrible to get phone calls from my child crying because he is being abused and the school is not doing anything about it.

“No disciplinary action is being taken against those who are [allegedly] ill-treating him - it’s totally unacceptable. They talk to the bullies, but take no disciplinary action.”

He said although his son is not a “straight A” pupil, the abuse greatly affects his academics.

“He is not coping, this has also affected his personality. I can see it when he is at home. He now keeps to himself and doesn’t talk much. Most weekends I ask him to come back home to protect him from further abuse.”

He said the school must implement a mechanism to deal with such incidences. Linpark High School hostel superintendent Vusumuzi Ndlovu confirmed that last Thursday’s incident was reported to him.

“The incident was reported and the culprit has been expelled from hostel pending investigation. We are doing everything in our power to put an end to incidences of bullying. We also urge the boys to come forward and report [such] incidences.”

KZN Education Department spokesperson Kwazi Mthethwa said they will investigate the case.

“We condemn bullies in our schooling system. We have instructed that there should be an urgent tribunal after which we will be in a position to confront the wrong-doers. In the meantime, we will arrange professional help for the victim so that he’s able to cope with this unfortunate situation.”

Mthethwa said the department urges pupils to report similar incidences when they see or hear about them.

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